Head of Quality and Reliability

📋 Job Overview

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.

🏢 About Northwood Space

Northwood Space is a modern space infrastructure company focused on advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations to enable real-time, reliable communication for critical satellite missions. Our vertically integrated approach allows us to design, build, and rapidly deploy scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions.

🎯 The Role

We are seeking a hands-on, systems-oriented Head of Quality & Reliability to build and lead a world-class quality organization as we scale from product development to production. This is a foundational leadership role responsible for embedding quality and reliability into every stage of the product lifecycle, ensuring our systems meet the highest standards of performance, safety, and mission success.

✅ Key Responsibilities

• Build, implement, and continuously improve the company Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring compliance, scalability, and operational excellence
• Lead the achievement and maintenance of AS9100 certification, including audits, compliance activities, training, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Own core quality processes, including document control, configuration management, nonconformance management, CAPA, and audit readiness
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Integration & Test, and Production teams to embed quality and reliability throughout the product lifecycle
• Develop and implement quality plans, process controls, acceptance criteria, and manufacturing quality strategies that support reliable product delivery
• Lead root cause investigations and continuous improvement efforts to reduce defects, improve yields, and enhance process capability
• Establish quality and reliability metrics, reporting systems, and data-driven improvement initiatives across the organization
• Develop and execute the company’s reliability strategy, including qualification testing, reliability growth, failure analysis, and risk mitigation methodologies
• Drive implementation of reliability engineering best practices, including FMEA, FRACAS, fault analysis, and lifecycle risk management
• Build and lead a high-performing Quality & Reliability organization while serving as a trusted cross-functional leader balancing product integrity, operational efficiency, and execution speed

📌 Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Quality Engineering, or related technical discipline
• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing quality, quality engineering, or reliability engineering
• 3+ years of experience leading teams or owning major cross-functional quality initiatives
• Experience operating in high-reliability industries (aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, etc.)
• Strong background in DFMEA, Control Plans, DOE, Six Sigma, DFSS, statistical methods, and reliability engineering
• A track record of building or scaling quality systems in low-to-medium volume, high-complexity environments

⭐ Desirable Experience

• Experience in high-growth startup or rapidly scaling manufacturing environments
• Experience leading organizations through AS9100 certification or major QMS transformations
• Experience building systems for quality data, analytics, and feedback loops that drive operational or engineering improvements
• Background spanning both technical and operational roles, including quality, manufacturing engineering, or operations leadership
• Hands-on experience with RF, PCBA, custom enclosures, or electromechanical assemblies, or other complex hardware systems

🎁 Benefits

Compensation at Northwood Space is based on role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary depending on job-related skills, education, experience, and technical expertise. Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Northwood. In addition to base salary, Northwood Space offers long-term incentives such as company stock options and discretionary performance bonuses. Benefits include equity, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, flexible spending accounts, flexible time off, 10 or more paid holidays per year, retirement savings plans, and opportunities for professional development.

🛂 Visa & Eligibility

This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment. While the clearance may not be immediately necessary upon hire, we encourage you to initiate the application process promptly upon accepting this offer. Your ability to secure the necessary clearance is essential for this role.